Travelling by train with three kids. is it a bad idea?

[Doire44]

Hi, I've been offered a house swap in Glasgow over Easter (we're in Birmingham). DH is AWOl as he has alot of work on, so for me its a change of scenery for me and the kids (ages 6 3 and 1.5)whilst getting out of his way. After looking at prices for flights and coaches we think train would be the best option. My sister is now trying to put me off going due to the five hour journey and the fact that "its just another city". As I'll be on my own I think a city would be a better option than somewhere remote. Can anyone reassure me that five hours in a train to another city with three Dcs isn't such a bad idea?

I travel long distances by train all the time with my 2 (now age 3 and 5). Long journeys are a bit gruelling and I have to say that whilst it is a doddle with a baby and fine now that they sit and do activities it was most difficult between about 8 months and 2 years as they always wanted to crawl/toddle up and down the aisles. Often you find people are really helpful and other children are a godsend to keep them happy. It is the luck of the draw really - I have also been reduced to tears in the past by people being unkind, intolerant and rude. A few obvious things - Sit near the disabled toilet; take loads of activities and snacks. We have a great pack of cards with 50 ideas of things to do whilst travelling (Usbourne activity cards).

Hope it goes well.

I did a 3 hour train journey with my 3 recently (9,7 and 2) and it wasn't the best journey I've ever had...

Mainly because both ways our reservations weren't there - once becaus ethe train had been changed, and the other because they were short staffed - and we had to squeeze in beside other people.

Meant to say - go fo it anyway!

Thanks for your help. I've just remembered that I have a friend in Newcastle, so an overdue visit to her might break things up a bit. Fingers crossed

It can be done!!! I've done Birmingham to Glasgow a few times and when I've booked seats woth a table it's been great!! A portable dvd player with ehadphones works - Ds's are v helpful too. The nightmare only starts with gettting chucked off the train and having to join another full train with 3 other train loads of passengers at Carlisle (it was a nightmare...) but that has only happened once!
Glasgow is fantastic by the way!! Loads to do with the kids - Kelvingrove museum, transport museum, kelvingrove park etc tec are all fab for kids - and you're 30 mins from the coast!! You could go to the Isle fo Arran or Millport for the day!! Edinburgh's another great day out. So much to do!

We did a 6 hr one recently - but 2 adults 2 children (4 & 2).

It was fine on the way because we left at 8 and got in at 2pm so had lunch and breakfast on the train.

Going back was hard work and we were extremely glad of the dvd player (left at 2pm, 2hrs wait in a station, then 5 more hours on train arriving 10pm.)

So GO in the morning if you can!

What will you do if they need the loo? Take them all? Can the 6yr old be trusted to stay with the 3 yr old if you need to change the baby?

My 6 yr old is pretty responsible, but I do agree about travelling in the morning. I've managed to find four hour direct journeys which won't be so bad. I've also had the inspired idea of bringing my teenage nephew with me as an extra pair of hands. Hopefully he'll take up my offer

Doing anything with 3 DC's is a bad idea.

Can you tell I've had a long day?

My DC's have the same age gaps, and I would say it depends on what temperament your DC's have - will you need a double buggy? I'm thinking your going to need a lot of lugage, but it does sound like a great idea.

I did 10hrs on a coach with my 3 (then aged 7,4 and 8 moonths) on my own start of last year.

then did a 5hr (ish) train journey (several changes of train) with them last summer - admittedly had a friend with me - but she also had a toddler in a pushchair so we couldn't really help each other that much. It was bloody hard work - but we were staying there for a week in a caravan, self catering and had a LOT of stuff with us.

Make sure your seats are reserved and take plenty of things to do plus snacks for the journey,food on trains is expensive. Is it possible for your DH to travel with you and then go back on his own as you'll have a fair bit to carry? Don't forget you'll need to carry cases as well unless you want to send them in advance (might cost more).

My Mum used to take us up and down to my grandparents on the train by herself and her golden rule was a bag for everyone - count them at every change. We were older though and certainly not in buggies or prams. I don't think trains were as crowded as they are now though.

no - don't use cases - get a large rucksack for yourself (I used my ancient 65ltr one), and get the old DS's a little one each - the younger one probably won't manage much in theirs, but the older one will probably manange some of their clothes.

SOOOOOOO much easier to negotiate trains with a pushchair when you don't have a case to drag along too.

I also had 2 bags hanging over the handle of the pushchair

Oh, one more thing,

If your station is the start/end of the line (I am guessing probably not on the way there, but maybe on the way back??) the staff will sometimes let you board first if you go and plead with them and show them your armfuls of stuff/babies